Summary

Authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor to Thomas Helmut Griffin for acts of valor during March 1–3, 1969 in the Vietnam War and waives the usual time limits that would otherwise prevent granting the medal for those actions. The bill records congressional findings about Griffin’s combat conduct, including that he was struck by enemy fire, surrounded at one point, continued to lead and fight, and that his commanding officer submitted supporting letters urging an upgrade from the Silver Star to the Medal of Honor.

Key Points

• Authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor to Thomas Helmut Griffin for valorous actions on March 1–3, 1969.
• Waives the statutory time limits that would otherwise prevent awarding the Medal of Honor for those 1969 actions.
• Records congressional findings that Griffin was struck by enemy fire, at times surrounded, and continued to lead and fight.
• Cites letters from Griffin’s commanding officer recommending an upgrade from the Silver Star to the Medal of Honor.
• Applies only to this specific individual and set of actions; it does not create new programs or change general award criteria.

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